Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 18:00. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. Kathmandu is an awesome mixture of legend and modern development with a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Narrow lanes lead to small squares and courtyards where ornate carved balconies overlook shrines and temples. Buzzing markets and bazaars are the centre of Nepali life where stalls and small hole-in-the-wall shops sell everything from bangles to Buddhas to beetroot. Kathmandu has been a travellers' centre for many years, reflected in the international flavour of the bright lights and 'Coca Cola culture' of the cen...

Leaving Kathmandu, we head for Bandipur,stopping along the way at Dumre (approx.5 hours). Located high on a ridge (1,000 m) above the road to Pokhara lies this little-known Newari trading village. At the eastern part of the town is the pagoda-roofed Bindabasini temple which acts as the abode of the goddess Durga, Bandipur's guardian deity. The rich wooden carvings and detailed brass-work that adorn the temple are replicas of those found in the many old pagoda structures of the Kathmandu Valley. Bandipur is still not in many travellers 'to visit' list, so the likelihood of meeting fellow travellers is still very minimal. The views are stupendous, as is the warm local welcome. There is a terrace opposite the hotel in the main street from where you can view the other side of the valley and watch the goings on of the village - a...

Leaving the Bandipur behind, we head for the enchanting Nepalese town of Pokhara (approx. 3 hours). Pokhara enjoys a delightful setting on a lake beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range, making it an excellent place to relax and contemplate what lies ahead. This afternoon we have our trek briefing and preparation, but depending on our arrival time, there may be time to hire a small boat for a quick paddle on the lake. There are also plenty of cafes where you can put your feet up and enjoy international cuisine, while the main street is full of shops and stalls selling a wide range of Nepali and Tibetan souvenirs. If you need to hire some extra trekking gear then there are numerous shops available offering everything you could possibly need. Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India an...

At 8,091m, Annapurna 1 is one of the highest mountains in the world. Its surrounding sister mountains are equally imposing and create magnificent panoramas from any view point. This trek covers a wide variety of terrain, from lowland pastures and peaceful villages to powerful glaciers and stunning mountain views. In the rugged mountain scenery, we stay in mountain communities and meet friendly Nepali hill people as they go about their daily lives. The expedition is not only visually superb but also a chance to learn about local cultures. Along the way we see thundering waterfalls of melted snow, cross icy rivers and reward ourselves with a soak in natural hot springs. While the trekking is challenging, averaging 6-7 hours' walking a day on steep terrain, our Annapurna Sanctuary expedition into the Himalayas allows you to get u...

This is the final day of the trek and it is a short downhill stretch all the way from Pothana to Phedi (approx 1.5 hours) via Dhampus village... yes, we made it! After lunch it's only about 45 mins (driving!) to Pokhara to check into our hotel for a well-earned shower and an end-of-trek celebration to enjoy the good things in life - like cold beer and a steak, or vegetarian lasagne!

Drive back to Kathmandu (6-7hrs approx) and enjoy an optional final dinner with your group to celebrate your Nepal trekking holiday. Day 16 is the final day of your trip. There are no activities planned and you can depart at any time. If you wish to continue exploring this amazing city you can pre book additional accommodation with your travel agent.